An update from Behind Closed Doors - Domestic Violence Support Group
Janette and Mandy from Behind Closed attended the Healthier Fleetwood Open Meeting on Wednesday 2nd September, and shared the many ways they have been supporting the local community.
The World Cup
During major sporting tournaments Domestic Abuse can become more prevalent. We used the time before and during the World Cup to raise awareness of how Domestic Abuse can accelerate. We created awareness events that we publicised during the tournaments.
Group members joined in creating flags on the prevalence of Domestic Abuse and the increase over big football tournaments, we shared statistics, how to keep safe and what support was available.
This information was displayed in our hub windows catching a lot of the public’s attention, from both men & women. One lady, who came on a coach trip shared "Her daughter is currently in a controlling relationship, she didn’t realise risk increased during the football and went back to let her know and put a safety plan in place”. Knowledge is key.
We also took part in a Domestic Abuse community awareness event with LCC & HF at Asda Fleetwood, sharing resources available for support during and after the World Cup. BCD had many conversations regarding Claire’s Law with the Public at this event.
Group members and volunteers participated in creating a Domestic Abuse awareness video for the World Cup. Everyone who participated remained anonymous. New members reached out for support from seeing this video online.
Survivors face many barriers experiencing DA. Our aim is to break barriers down and fill in gaps between services ensuring women are supported throughout.
Despite the fact the World Cup has ended, our awareness events were effective.
Support Over the summer holidays period
Accessing support and attending peer groups can be difficult during the summer holidays due to childcare.
Over the summer period, we slightly changed our peer group sessions to include those of survivors children. These children are also survivors of Domestic Abuse. BCD fully funded days out for our service users such as crabbing, bowling and an empowerment photo shoot.
This allowed members to build friendships, connect, break isolation and build confidence without worrying about financial strain.
Members shared it was nice to do something a little different without facing more barriers and expressed how the support is vital to them and thanked us for being consistent.
Our most powerful and positive event over the summer was our empowerment photo shoot for our members using the theme ‘ Capture your power’. Organised and funded by BCD, members created positive placards personal to their own healing journey. Individual Images were created based on resilience and empowerment.
The aim of the photo shoot was to reclaim identity, rebuild self-confidence and foster healing.
Often mums are the ones taking the photos, so we opened up towards the end of the individual shoots, to include members children creating family images. As some individual spaces were still available we invited some women from ‘level up’ to join us.
Members received memorable empowering images completely free of charge. We would like to thank Donna Buston photography for making everyone feel comfortable and for your professionalism. Members shared the photo shoot has given them confidence in themselves to continue to heal and thanked us for the experience.
Survivors shop
Our free shop has been busy with members sharing this is crucial service. Anyone is able to self-refer by emailing BCD. However, we could reach more women if services could share our details within their establishment or on their social media.
The free shop is for any women/children who is a survivor of Domestic Abuse. They are able to choose, with dignity and choice, anything they may need. They can choose from clothing, shoes, toiletries, toys, emergency care packages and local support information. This is an ongoing service.
Domestic Awareness Month
Domestic Abuse Awareness Month is in October. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for our up and coming events.
CONTACT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Domestic Abuse Hub, 21 Adelaide St, Fleetwood FY7 6AD
Open on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday: 11am - 2pm
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